Greenland in focus: Danish Prime Minister reaches out to Donald Trump

Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, said on Thursday that she had reached out to US President-elect Donald Trump as his remarks about taking control of Greenland are making global headlines. The latter is set to take office on January 20.

Trump set off alarm bells on Tuesday as he refused to rule out military force to bring the Panama Canal and Greenland under US control. In addition to its strategic location, Greenland also holds tonnes of untapped mineral and oil sources.

Greenland is in the limelight as it seeks independence from Denmark and as ice melts due to climate change and opens up key shipping lanes. The Danish Prime Minister has insisted that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”

Denmark has said that it is open to talks on US interests in the autonomous Danish territory. Russia has expressed concern about maintaining peace and stability in the region. But Italy’s Giorgio Meloni has dismissed speculation that the US might use force.